Lionel Messi was once again the big winner of the FIFA ‘The Best’ awards, being named the best player in the world for the third time in his career. Even the Argentine fans, who were protagonists of the World Cup month in Qatar, were rewarded with the award for being the best fans in the world. Carlos Pascual ‘El Tula’ was the one who collected the award.
Messi was visibly nervous when he received the award, surpassing his French teammate at Paris SG Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema, who had won the Ballon d’Or in December.
Just a few hours after announcing his renewal as Argentine coach until 2026, Lionel Scaloni was awarded for leading his team to glory in Qatar. He was followed by the best goalkeeper in the World Cup, ‘Dibu’ Martínez, who also won a prestigious award.
In the women’s category, the Spanish Alexia Putellas won her second consecutive ‘The Best’ award and the best coach in women’s football went to the Dutch Sarina Weigman.
The Puskas award for the best goal of the year 2022 went to the Polish Marcin Oleksy, a player who has an amputated leg, for a magnificent scissor goal.
The gala was also a tribute to the recently deceased Pele, who was honored with the presence of his widow Marcia Aoki.
Real Madrid players were absent from the event, despite the fact that Courtois, Modric and Benzema were nominated for the youngest eleven of the year, as well as Casemiro. The only one who did attend was the Moroccan side of Paris SG Achraf Hakimi, who was also a member of the XI FIFPro, just a few hours after learning that the French prosecutor’s office is investigating him for an alleged rape.
The FIFA ‘The Best’ awards once again celebrated the best of world football, rewarding the talent and effort of all those who have made this sport great.
